I am using ALEKS as a supplement to my gifted and talented math classes. The students use ALEKS in our computer lab 2-3 days per week for 45 minutes a session, plus work on ALEKS in the classroom when their class work is done.

Scenario

What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS? My gifted and talented students were not being challenged with higher level math skills. While some of my students were working hard to keep up, my gifted and talented students felt they were being held back from going at a faster pace.

How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS? 3 days per week.

What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used? 45 minutes.

Implementation

How do you implement ALEKS? I use ALEKS as a supplement to our math curriculum. Students are required to work on ALEKS at least three hours per week at school or at home.

Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order? When I introduce a new topic in our curriculum, I have the students work on this topic on ALEKS.

How do you structure your class period with ALEKS? Three days a week, I take my class to the computer lab to work on ALEKS for 45 minutes. We then go back to class and I instruct on our math curriculum

How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS? I use ALEKS to introduce a new topic, as well as to reinforce previously learned topics.

How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home? I send a letter home to parents telling about ALEKS and encourage parents to have students work on ALEKS for an average of 30 minutes, 5 days a week.

How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS? I send a parent letter home regarding ALEKS, and send progress reports home with report cards.

Grading

Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of the total homework load is it? ALEKS is not assigned as homework but I do expect students to reach certain goals each grading period.

How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system? I break down how much progress students need to make each six weeks and assign a grade for each level of progress.

Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS? I expect regular progress in ALEKS and QuickTables. I print students' QuickTables certificates of completion and their completed pie charts throughout the classroom. I monitor student progress with ALEKS reports.

Learning Outcomes

Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen. I teach fourth grade gifted and talented students; I have seen students complete their LV 4 pie in October and work through their Middle School Math Course 1 pie by January. Students are excited when I introduce a new topic from our curriculum and they can say "I have already learned that in ALEKS!" They like to try to stump me with their harder math questions.

Best Practices

Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS? My gifted and talented students have responded to a friendly competition among classes to see who progresses on their pies the fastest. The first student who completes their gets a Wal-Mart gift card.